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Couple urges buying Weber State University oca I TTTD)n AL -P JL N Ji H.I 1 HE E0 STUDENT Ri MM I) & Senate closes on note of health care, transportation By Seth Durfee sr. news reporter I The Signpost The last session of the student senate for fall semester was also the last session for three of the student senators. Former social and behavioral science senator Jake Peters, Veteran senator Adam Berman and Applied Science and Technology senator Brian Stauffer have each resigned. Their seats will be vacant indefinitely in the Student senate until their seats are filled. Chris Bentley, the legislative vice president, said he would like to have the positions filled by next semester, which begins Jan. 7. Student Association is now accepting applications in the Shepherd Union Building. The student senate also honored two of its members for outstanding work throughout the semester. Senator of residence halls, Mike Kofoed was voted senator of the month as well as one of the two senators of the semester along with Nontraditional senator Ricardo Culetto. "It feels good," Kofoed said. "I worked really hard to rebuild the See Senate page 9 Part Two of a Two-Part Series '7 really want to see if we can find a way to pull some of the insurance companies to the negotiating table and work out a way to give students affordable health care." Mike Kofoed, residence halls senator Abstinence not practical ' Catering sex education for gays By Jessica Schreifels sr. features reporter I The Signpost Manases Castillo always knew he was gay- The 22-year-old Salt Lake City resident said he was about 6-years-old when he realized that he was gay, but it wasn't until he was 18 that he told his parents. He went through junior high without saying anything. He even had a girlfriend. "I was never mature enough, or bold enough to realize I was gay that young," Castillo said. One of Castillo's biggest concerns is getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Castillo was raised in Mexico and learned in school about how to prevent pregnancy through birth control and condom use. Castillo was also educated about STDs but never about how to protect himself with gay men. He didn't feel he could ask his parents what to do about STDs. He turned to the Internet for answers late one Friday night after returning home from a gay club and having made-out with three men. "I researched IIIV protection and what happens if you had it," he said. "Because I became knowledgeable, I became Worried. What if I had had a cut in my mouth? I went online and looked it up, and it said if you had HIV, you may get the cold or flu because your body is trying to get rid of the virus." Over the next few days, developed a bad case of the flu. ."I was really freaked out," he said. "I called a counselor from the Utah AIDS foundation. But he told me not to be worried because there is a very low chance you can get HIV from kissing." Castillo tested negative for the HIV virus. Castillo said he wished he would have been taught STD protection for gay men when he was in school. "It would have been helpful," he said. "I probably wouldn't be so worried about it." According to a recent study conducted by the nonpartisan Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, abstinence-only education did not Remained Abstinent: 56 in Program 55 in Control Had Sex, Always Used a Condom 23 in Program 23 in Control Had Seu, Sometimes Used Condom 12 in Program 17 in Control Had Sex, Hover Used Condom 4 in Program 4 in Control Schools have a responsibility to do their share in helping our young people understand the options that are available to them, so that they can make a reasoned and informed choice about their own behavior." Manases Castillo Castillo delay sex, but it also did not decrease the number of sexual partners a person had or if the person used a condom to prevent STD's. The study reported a recent survey, which showed that "the clear majority of adults (73 percent) and teens (56 percent) wish teens were getting more information about abstinence and contraception rather than eitheror." Father Charles Cummins, who is the priest of the Newman Center at Weber State University main campus, said he believes abstinence is a sacred practice. "We live in a society where sex is overrated and love is underrated," he said. "God gives the gift of sexuality because he asks for an obligation. The privilege is sexual intimacy, and the obligation is marriage. To take the privilege without taking the obligation is like taking something from God that we don't deserve." When Castillo heard that abstinence-only education was provided to students in Utah and other states, he was surprised. "I can't believe that's only what's taught in the education system," he said. "That's horrible." He doesn't believe abstinence-only education is practical or helpful especially for gay men. "I always thought I was going to wait until I was married to have sex," he said. "But, when I kept discovering how much I liked guys, I realized that was impossible." With abstinence-only programs, like those in Utah, abstaining from sex until marriage is the basis of the program. Dr. Richard Minnich, the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Ogden, Utah, thinks that sex education is best left to the parents. "It's not surprising that abstinence-only sex education is ineffective," he said. "Abstinence is primarily a church teaching that relies on a personal commitment to God in order to have effect." Minnich doesn't rule out the role of sex education in public schools. "Schools have a responsibility to do See Sex Ed page 9 liens in Brief Faux hobos chill out - I Ac) ii .7 ". Tassirs soare ff paioou, cin)fiiiOTiry PHOIO BY BKICE KELSCH IHt SICNPOST Several students spent the night on campus last night as part of homeless awareness week. Habitat for Humanity, in correlation with the Homeless Council, sponsored the event, which featured large cardboard boxes as makeshift shelters from the weather. A barrel fire provided little warmth for those who braved the sub-freezing temperatures on a night that proved difficult yet insightful. Guest speakers from the Ogden Rescue mission addressed the small crowd around the fire, sharing life experiences, interesting stories and some troubling facts about homelessness. Music was a large part of the event, as many in the group played songs on guitars and harmonicas. Students brought their own food, which they found difficult to prepare outside. Billy Rutter (pictured above), who championed the all night event, was happy with the turnout. "I wasn't even expecting this many people," Rutter said. See full story Friday Despite debate - AP&P officer says Taser is safe By Matt Jacob news editor I The Signpost Seth Robinson once volunteered for a demonstration he would never forget. Like many students studying criminal justice or in the Peace Officer and Standard Training (POST) program, he volunteered to be tasered to show the effects of a Taser. "There are two probes. I was hit in the left shoulder and the right calf," said Robinson, an agent with Adult Probation and Parole of the Utah Department of Corrections. "It was painful, having electricity going through your '7 think it's another tool to the officer safe." body." K e Sparks, Acad 1 1 y POST e m y Matt Meillor, criminal justice major keep the otticer director at ntuci Oldie University, said POST doesn't train cadets on how to use Tasers, but each department in Utah that implements Tasers develops its own training on how and when to use them, in compliance with national guidelines. One basic guideline, according to Sparks, is that any time an officer must use force, "It has to be reasonable, and it has to be necessary." A Taser is considered a use of force. Sparks also said there is an advantage to using the Taser. "If you can use the Taser," he said, "you can minimize the amount of injury." According to Sparks, with a baton, you could cause tissue damage or broken bones and pepper spray does not keep people from using their muscles. He, like Robinson, also volunteered to be shocked rjy a laser tor a demonstration. The controversy has spread to a larger audience since videos of people being tasered have been posted on a popular video-sharing Web site. One video shows Jared Massey tasered by Trooper John Gardner, of the Utah Highway Patrol. The video has been viewed over 900,000 times since it was posted Nov. 19, 2007. Another video of a University of Florida student getting tasered by an officer has been viewed over 2,000,000 times. Matt Meillor, a criminal justice major, said he agrees with the use of the Taser in these instances. "People who want to fight or go against law enforcement when they're trying n -J - MJOkCt: YOLJIUBb.LUM Jared Massey looks back at John Gardner, a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper. Gardner is holding a Taser to get cooperation, or' try to fight a law officer," Meillor said, "I think it's another tool to keep the officer safe." According to Robinson, the Taser is safe for use. "I was coherent," Robinson said, speaking of when he was tasered. "I could see things going on around me. I could hear stuff. I could hear the Taser going off. I was aware I was getting shocked. But once the five-second shock was done, the pain was gone. There were no after-effects. I was able to get up and walk around. I didn't have any other issues. I mean, it was almost an instant recovery." Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. vA -v PHOIOS BY BKICE KELSCH lilt SICNI'OSI Jason Francis and Joseph Bree, of the Stewart Library circulation desk, set up a Christmas tree in the entrance of the library. " '

Public Domain. Courtesy of University Archives, Stewart Library, Weber State University.

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Couple urges buying Weber State University oca I TTTD)n AL -P JL N Ji H.I 1 HE E0 STUDENT Ri MM I) & Senate closes on note of health care, transportation By Seth Durfee sr. news reporter I The Signpost The last session of the student senate for fall semester was also the last session for three of the student senators. Former social and behavioral science senator Jake Peters, Veteran senator Adam Berman and Applied Science and Technology senator Brian Stauffer have each resigned. Their seats will be vacant indefinitely in the Student senate until their seats are filled. Chris Bentley, the legislative vice president, said he would like to have the positions filled by next semester, which begins Jan. 7. Student Association is now accepting applications in the Shepherd Union Building. The student senate also honored two of its members for outstanding work throughout the semester. Senator of residence halls, Mike Kofoed was voted senator of the month as well as one of the two senators of the semester along with Nontraditional senator Ricardo Culetto. "It feels good," Kofoed said. "I worked really hard to rebuild the See Senate page 9 Part Two of a Two-Part Series '7 really want to see if we can find a way to pull some of the insurance companies to the negotiating table and work out a way to give students affordable health care." Mike Kofoed, residence halls senator Abstinence not practical ' Catering sex education for gays By Jessica Schreifels sr. features reporter I The Signpost Manases Castillo always knew he was gay- The 22-year-old Salt Lake City resident said he was about 6-years-old when he realized that he was gay, but it wasn't until he was 18 that he told his parents. He went through junior high without saying anything. He even had a girlfriend. "I was never mature enough, or bold enough to realize I was gay that young," Castillo said. One of Castillo's biggest concerns is getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Castillo was raised in Mexico and learned in school about how to prevent pregnancy through birth control and condom use. Castillo was also educated about STDs but never about how to protect himself with gay men. He didn't feel he could ask his parents what to do about STDs. He turned to the Internet for answers late one Friday night after returning home from a gay club and having made-out with three men. "I researched IIIV protection and what happens if you had it," he said. "Because I became knowledgeable, I became Worried. What if I had had a cut in my mouth? I went online and looked it up, and it said if you had HIV, you may get the cold or flu because your body is trying to get rid of the virus." Over the next few days, developed a bad case of the flu. ."I was really freaked out," he said. "I called a counselor from the Utah AIDS foundation. But he told me not to be worried because there is a very low chance you can get HIV from kissing." Castillo tested negative for the HIV virus. Castillo said he wished he would have been taught STD protection for gay men when he was in school. "It would have been helpful," he said. "I probably wouldn't be so worried about it." According to a recent study conducted by the nonpartisan Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, abstinence-only education did not Remained Abstinent: 56 in Program 55 in Control Had Sex, Always Used a Condom 23 in Program 23 in Control Had Seu, Sometimes Used Condom 12 in Program 17 in Control Had Sex, Hover Used Condom 4 in Program 4 in Control Schools have a responsibility to do their share in helping our young people understand the options that are available to them, so that they can make a reasoned and informed choice about their own behavior." Manases Castillo Castillo delay sex, but it also did not decrease the number of sexual partners a person had or if the person used a condom to prevent STD's. The study reported a recent survey, which showed that "the clear majority of adults (73 percent) and teens (56 percent) wish teens were getting more information about abstinence and contraception rather than eitheror." Father Charles Cummins, who is the priest of the Newman Center at Weber State University main campus, said he believes abstinence is a sacred practice. "We live in a society where sex is overrated and love is underrated," he said. "God gives the gift of sexuality because he asks for an obligation. The privilege is sexual intimacy, and the obligation is marriage. To take the privilege without taking the obligation is like taking something from God that we don't deserve." When Castillo heard that abstinence-only education was provided to students in Utah and other states, he was surprised. "I can't believe that's only what's taught in the education system," he said. "That's horrible." He doesn't believe abstinence-only education is practical or helpful especially for gay men. "I always thought I was going to wait until I was married to have sex," he said. "But, when I kept discovering how much I liked guys, I realized that was impossible." With abstinence-only programs, like those in Utah, abstaining from sex until marriage is the basis of the program. Dr. Richard Minnich, the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Ogden, Utah, thinks that sex education is best left to the parents. "It's not surprising that abstinence-only sex education is ineffective," he said. "Abstinence is primarily a church teaching that relies on a personal commitment to God in order to have effect." Minnich doesn't rule out the role of sex education in public schools. "Schools have a responsibility to do See Sex Ed page 9 liens in Brief Faux hobos chill out - I Ac) ii .7 ". Tassirs soare ff paioou, cin)fiiiOTiry PHOIO BY BKICE KELSCH IHt SICNPOST Several students spent the night on campus last night as part of homeless awareness week. Habitat for Humanity, in correlation with the Homeless Council, sponsored the event, which featured large cardboard boxes as makeshift shelters from the weather. A barrel fire provided little warmth for those who braved the sub-freezing temperatures on a night that proved difficult yet insightful. Guest speakers from the Ogden Rescue mission addressed the small crowd around the fire, sharing life experiences, interesting stories and some troubling facts about homelessness. Music was a large part of the event, as many in the group played songs on guitars and harmonicas. Students brought their own food, which they found difficult to prepare outside. Billy Rutter (pictured above), who championed the all night event, was happy with the turnout. "I wasn't even expecting this many people," Rutter said. See full story Friday Despite debate - AP&P officer says Taser is safe By Matt Jacob news editor I The Signpost Seth Robinson once volunteered for a demonstration he would never forget. Like many students studying criminal justice or in the Peace Officer and Standard Training (POST) program, he volunteered to be tasered to show the effects of a Taser. "There are two probes. I was hit in the left shoulder and the right calf," said Robinson, an agent with Adult Probation and Parole of the Utah Department of Corrections. "It was painful, having electricity going through your '7 think it's another tool to the officer safe." body." K e Sparks, Acad 1 1 y POST e m y Matt Meillor, criminal justice major keep the otticer director at ntuci Oldie University, said POST doesn't train cadets on how to use Tasers, but each department in Utah that implements Tasers develops its own training on how and when to use them, in compliance with national guidelines. One basic guideline, according to Sparks, is that any time an officer must use force, "It has to be reasonable, and it has to be necessary." A Taser is considered a use of force. Sparks also said there is an advantage to using the Taser. "If you can use the Taser," he said, "you can minimize the amount of injury." According to Sparks, with a baton, you could cause tissue damage or broken bones and pepper spray does not keep people from using their muscles. He, like Robinson, also volunteered to be shocked rjy a laser tor a demonstration. The controversy has spread to a larger audience since videos of people being tasered have been posted on a popular video-sharing Web site. One video shows Jared Massey tasered by Trooper John Gardner, of the Utah Highway Patrol. The video has been viewed over 900,000 times since it was posted Nov. 19, 2007. Another video of a University of Florida student getting tasered by an officer has been viewed over 2,000,000 times. Matt Meillor, a criminal justice major, said he agrees with the use of the Taser in these instances. "People who want to fight or go against law enforcement when they're trying n -J - MJOkCt: YOLJIUBb.LUM Jared Massey looks back at John Gardner, a Utah Highway Patrol Trooper. Gardner is holding a Taser to get cooperation, or' try to fight a law officer," Meillor said, "I think it's another tool to keep the officer safe." According to Robinson, the Taser is safe for use. "I was coherent," Robinson said, speaking of when he was tasered. "I could see things going on around me. I could hear stuff. I could hear the Taser going off. I was aware I was getting shocked. But once the five-second shock was done, the pain was gone. There were no after-effects. I was able to get up and walk around. I didn't have any other issues. I mean, it was almost an instant recovery." Comment on this story at wsusignpost.com. vA -v PHOIOS BY BKICE KELSCH lilt SICNI'OSI Jason Francis and Joseph Bree, of the Stewart Library circulation desk, set up a Christmas tree in the entrance of the library. " '